Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
Rachel Grey Joins The Fray...
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These Marvel Girl busts were San Diego Comic-Con AFX exclusives limited to 600 and 400 pieces each. A few remain and can be purchased directly at AFX.com
Minibusts are interesting collectibles. Less expensive than statues but more costly than figures, they are in a middle ground between mass-market collectibles and high-end ones. They are usually picture-perfect 3D renderings of popular characters but they aren’t full-bodied sculpts. They are a hybrid, with the detail and perfect rendering of a statue but closer to the price of an exclusive figure. Minibusts are a niche market, and those who appreciate it are rewarded with a wide array of characters and variants to build a beautiful collection.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Action Figure Xpress and Diamond Select united to make their fans’ collections one step closer to completion with their new Rachel Grey Marvel Girl minibusts. The first version of Scott Summers’ and Jean Grey’s daughter was sculpted by Sam Greenwell and limited to 600 pieces. The second version, limited to 400 pieces, is a “Deathmark” variant that showcases an emblem over her left eye—a signature of using her phoenix powers.
The packaging for Marvel Girl is solid. She is in a rectangular box with full photos of the bust on the front and back and slices of the photo on the sides. Inside, she is kept in place and well protected with a Styrofoam holding unit. The packaging is adequate, but, because I’d like a glimpse of the $50 product I’m buying, I would have liked a window box showing at least some of her. I can’t complain, though. The packaging is attractive and protects the bust.
Each version of Rachel offers fantastic sculpting. They are both on “Grey” family tombstones, which are appropriate, character-specific bases given the Grey’s family history. Each bust also features the same sculpt and design from the neck down of Marvel Girl’s tattered outfit. The detailed sculpt in this area of the figure is exceptional. The outfit bears the look of having been worn through battle, with several barely attached strands sculpted onto her arms and shoulders. Her gauntlets and base are also well-sculpted, but the best part of either version is the head sculpt. Both the normal and variant versions have incredible headsculpts that bare unique emotion. The normal version appears restrained while also alert and prepared, and the variant looks as though she’s just destroyed several enemies or is about to. I appreciate that AFX did too versions that capture such different moments of the character, and I like each equally.
The paint apps to both busts are fantastic. They are bold and eye-catching without being gaudy (which is particularly difficult when dealing with gold tones). The detail on the eyes, and the tattered clothing is specifically noteworthy, and the extra elements to the variant really make her look outstanding. All apps are crisp and clear with neither discoloration nor smudging, and the pieces look beautiful as a result.
Neither version of Rachel Grey includes interchangeable parts or accessories. Frankly, they are not needed. These are shelf display pieces, and they require nothing beyond a great sculpt and paint job. Both do, however, contain hand-numbered Certificates of Authenticity, a great bonus for any collector.
These minibusts retailed at different price points based on availability. While the normal version ran for $50, the variant was $55. Given that they were limited to 600 and 400 pieces, respectively, the price difference really lends itself to being fair for the normal version and a steal for the variant.
Overall, AFX’s Marvel Girl Busts are excellent. Each is fantastically sculpted and vibrantly painted, with an overall aesthetic that is a testament to the high quality and attention detail expected in the minibust market.
Check out more photos of both minibusts in our Gallery.
Review and Images by C.J. Stunkard
Samples courtesy of ActionFigureXpress.com